Stoughton rep re-files right-to-die legislation

Stoughton resident Al Lipkind fought almost up to his death from stomach cancer in October 2009 on behalf of legislation to allow him and other terminally-ill patients to die on their own terms. Rep. Louis Kafka, D-Stoughton, has taken up the issue on Lipkind’s behalf.

A report out this week on improving end-of-life care for state residents didn’t mention one hot-button issue: the right-to-die movement.

It’s been debated recently in the Vermont legislature and gained steam during the last legislative session on Beacon Hill, due to the efforts of Stoughton resident Al Lipkind.

Lipkind fought almost up to his death from stomach cancer in October 2009 on behalf of legislation to allow him and other terminally-ill patients to die on their own terms.

Rep. Louis Kafka, D-Stoughton, vowed to take up the issue on Lipkind’s behalf and re-filed the bill this year, called An Act Relative to Death with Dignity.

The bill would allow doctors to write prescriptions for people who choose to end their lives by self-medicating. Only mentally competent people suffering from a terminal illness would be eligible under the proposed law.

Similar laws are already in place in Oregon and Washington.

It’s a controversial proposal that the medical community has not embraced, citing ethical issues.

In a phone interview Tuesday, Kafka said he believes right-to-die issues should be part of any conversation about end-of-life care.

“The patient should have some say on how the end of their life happens.”